Monty Python comedy group adds more dates to London reunion

PanARMENIAN.Net - Monty Python founding member John Cleese on Wednesday, November 27 described strong public demand for tickets to the U.K. comedy troupe's reunion show in the British capital as "very, very silly" as the group added yet more dates, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The reunion show on July 1 at the British capital's O2 Arena, operated by live event promoter AEG Live, sold out in 43.5 seconds on Monday, which led to the immediate addition of four more dates through July 5.

Those sold out in a matter of hours, so the Pythons said on Wednesday that they would perform another five shows of Monty Python Live (mostly) from July 15 through July 20. The five remaining members of the U.K. comedy troupe -- Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and Terry Jones -- announced the reunion last week.

The sixth Python, Graham Chapman, died in 1989, hence the word "mostly" in the show title. It is also believed to refer to the expected use of video and projections during the stage shows. Cleese said: "The response to our planned reunion has been very, very silly. But we're all touched that so many fans still want to see such old people perform. So we're delighted to be adding more dates to the run at the O2."

Tickets will go on sale on Friday.

There is still speculation, but no confirmation, that the troupe may reveal plans for a turn at L.A.'s Hollywood Bowl, the setting for one of Pythons' most remembered live outings in Sept. 1980. Cleese had described that show as one of his favorite Monty Python memories.

The comedy group became famous with TV sketch show Monty Python's Flying Circus. It then made such films as Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Monty Python's Life of Brian and Monty Python's the Meaning of Life.

The members later went on to pursue successful solo careers.